8/7/07-During negotiations on the state's budget bill, lawmakers in the Assembly removed a Senate-approved motion that called for increasing funds available in the Wisconsin Diesel Idle Reduction Grant Program. The effort sought to add another $1 million to the grant program, with the primary benefactors being large motor carriers based in the state.
Currently, the program allows for up to 70 percent of the equipment cost to be reimbursed through a $1 million grant. Sponsored by Sen. David Hansen, D-Green Bay, and Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, the motion called for reducing awards to 50 percent. It also sought to increase the number of eligible awards to the largest fleets and allow grant money to possibly be used for "truck stop" electrification.
The state's budget bill - minus changes to the idle reduction grant program - is under review by a conference committee made up of select members in the Assembly and Senate. They must reach agreement on the final version of the budget before it can receive final approval in both chambers. The agreed-upon version would then move to Gov. James Doyle's desk.
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